Open AccessExercise As Therapy for Gestational Diabetes - What’s the Evidence?
Author(s) -
Mark Wilson,
Rami Shenouda
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of applied exercise physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2322-3537
DOI - 10.22631/ijaep.v6i1.93
Subject(s) - gestational diabetes , medicine , anaerobic exercise , pregnancy , diabetes mellitus , aerobic exercise , type 2 diabetes , physical therapy , intensive care medicine , gestation , endocrinology , biology , genetics
Men and women differ greatly in their physiology; they are able to undertake different types and levels of activity, and also respond differently physiologically to aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Women have an additional capacity for pregnancy and their ability to undergo significant physiological change in a short period of time. They are, however, subject to further conditions that men are not susceptible to, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This review will aim to analyse the recent literature regarding exercise and GDM and determine whether exercise can reduce the risk of developing GDM and any potential sequelae. Despite there being a lack of clear consensus on the subject, exercise is a useful adjunct in the treatment of gestational diabetes and may attenuate some of its more harmful sequelae.